Thursday in Hawkville

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WORD OF THE DAY
Ready. As in, ready or not. The Seahawks held their final practice before Saturday’s divisional playoff game against the Packers in Green Bay – and final practice of the season, unless they can upset the Packers at Lambeau Field.

The team will fly to Appleton, Wis., on Friday morning.

“The hard work is done,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “Now, we have to freshen up just a little bit and think about how we want to do this.

“Once again, we know the challenge. We’re a big underdog in the game, and we’re playing on the road. Green Bay certainly deserves the home-field advantage. They had a great regular season. It’s a challenge, but we’ll see. I think the guys are ready to play.”

PLAYER OF THE DAY
D.J. Hackett. But not for anything he did in practice. That’s because the team’s starting split end did not practice, to rest his sore right ankle – which has been sprained twice and caused him to miss 10 games during the regular season.

Holmgren said Hackett’s inactivity was precautionary, but added that his status will be a game-day decision.

“D.J. went out there yesterday and ran around,” Holmgren said. “Instead of making it a little worse, I’d rather have him on Saturday.”

GAME BALLS
After practice, Holmgren presented game balls from the wild-card playoff victory over the Redskins to Hackett (offense), linebacker Leroy Hill (defense) and punter Ryan Plackemeier (special teams).

Hackett caught six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Hill led a swarming defensive effort with 13 tackles and a sack. Plackemeier averaged 41.6 yards (gross and net) on seven punts, with four downed inside the Redskins’ 20-yard line.

INJURY REPORT
While Hackett sat out practice, three other starters returned after being sidelined Tuesday and Wednesday – All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones (shoulders), All-Pro defensive end Patrick Kerney (knee) and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (knee).

Also back was linebacker Niko Koutouvides (knee), who leads the club in special teams tackles.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“That will be in my book. You can read my book.” – quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, when asked what he learned from Brett Favre during his three seasons as Favre’s backup in Green Bay.